Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Greig Laidlaw posts 'crazy times' farewell after three years at Clermont

By Josh Raisey
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Ex-Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has described his time with Clermont as an “incredible learning experience” after saying farewell to the French club. It was long expected the 34-year-old would be moving on at the end of the 2019/20 season, with rumours of a move to Japan circulating after he apparently turned down an approach from Perpignan. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Having arrived from Gloucester in 2017, Laidlaw’s three-year spell at the Stade Marcel Michelin was brought to a premature end by the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The Scot had already announced the end of his eight-year, 76-cap international career in December following the World Cup, and this now looks to be the end to his club career in Europe. 

Video Spacer

Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo guests on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod

Video Spacer

Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo guests on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod

He shared his mixed emotions on Instagram after his time with the club ended in ways that he would not have wanted. This is what he said: 

“Due to the current global situation, my time at Clermont has come to an abrupt end. It’s been a fantastic three years – there have been many great times, many fun times and some frustrations as well.

“I’m disappointed that we don’t get to have the opportunity to go out there and win something this season, but I understand why we can’t and that now has to be my time to say goodbye to the club and the amazing supporters – it has been fantastic playing and captaining Clermont on occasions over the last few years. 

“I wish everyone at the club and the Yellow Army all the best for the future. It’s crazy times right now but you will always have a place in my heart and hope you are looking forward to the return of rugby as much as I am!”

ADVERTISEMENT

View this post on Instagram

Due to the current global situation my time at Clermont has come to an abrupt end. It’s been a fantastic three years – there have been many great times, many fun times and some frustrations as well. Together, with my family, we have learnt a huge amount living out here in France. I’m beyond proud of my wife Rachel and our boys for taking on this challenge with me. As a player and a person, I have continued to grow and develop and playing at this great club has been an incredible learning experience for me. I’m disappointed that we don’t get to have the opportunity to go out there and win something this season but I understand why we can’t and that now has to be my time to say goodbye to the club and the amazing supporters' – it has been fantastic playing and captaining Clermont on occasions over the last few years. I wish everyone at the Club and the ‘Yellow Army’ all the best for the future, it’s crazy times right now but you will always have a place in my heart and hope you are looking forward to the return of rugby as much as I am! Thank you, stay safe and I hope we can share a wine when I next return as a fan! Au revoir Greig

A post shared by Greig Laidlaw (@g.laidlaw) on

The Top 14 season was terminated in France in early May with Clermont sitting in sixth place. They were also in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals with a home fixture against Racing 92.

It’s understandable that Laidlaw is disappointed there was no glory this season, but this has been a successful tenure for him in France, marked by his 18-point haul in his side’s Challenge Cup final victory over La Rochelle last year. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

j
john 47 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

14 Go to comments
A
Adrian 2 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

14 Go to comments
T
Trevor 5 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out
Search